The worst of being a Christmas Child is that you don't get birthday presents, but only Christmas ones. Old Naylor, who was Father's coachman, and had a great gruff voice that came from his boots and was rather frightening, used to ask how I expected to grow up without proper birthdays, and I thought I might have to stay little always. When I told Father this he laughed, but a moment later he grew quite grave. "Listen, Chris," he said. And then he took me on his knee—I was a small chap then—and told me things that made me forget old Naylor, and wish and wish that Mother could have stayed with us. The angels had wanted her, Father explained; well, we wanted her too, and there were plenty of angels in heaven, anyway. When I said this Father gave me a great squeeze and put me down, and I tried to be glad that I was a Christmas child. But I wasn't really until a long time afterwards, when I had found the Fairy Ring, and met the Queen of the Fairies.
The "Christmas Child" in this book isn't Jesus, but rather a boy born on Christmas Day, named "Chris". After his father forgets both Christmas and Chris’ birthday (not surprising as the father is an impoverished, overworked surgeon) He runs away from home and finds himself in a park, where he meets the fairy-queen. She tells him that all children born on the 25th of December have the gift of talking to the fairy-folk. What follows is an account of Chris’ adventures and meetings with the fairy folk and the stories they tell him. Some of the tales Chris hears, are stories of shape-shifting princesses, doomed supernatural lovers and peasants rewarded for kindness or punished for laziness and cruelty. A fairy persuades a knight who loves her to tear a page from a Bible inscribed with his dead mother's handwriting, When he presents her with the page she laughs, or rather cackles, at him and disappears. But what happens to the knight and the fairy? It is common knowledge that fairies always reward anyone who shows a stranger hospitality. Chris is always treated well by the fairies he encounters, though it's implied that this is only because he has special status as a "Christmas Child". He narrowly avoids being kidnapped by fairy women and forced to spend the rest of his life in an underground city. He is released because he coincidentally mentions the day of his birth. All the stories are accurate to original myths and folklore. In all, this is an endearing, if somewhat forgotten, work of fiction, wonderfully illustrated in colour and black-and-white by the late, great Willy Pogany (August 1882 – July 1955) 10% of the profit from the sale of this book are donated to charity. ===================== KEYWORDS/TAGS: Fairies and the Christmas Child, adventure, folklore, fairy tales, myths, legends, childrens stories, fables, Lilian Gask, Willy Pogany, Fairy Ring, Princess, Sea-Green Hair, Rose-Marie, Poupican, Bird, Window, White Stone, Happiness, Seven, Fair Queens, Pirou, Dwarf, Palace, Silver Horn, Little White Feather, Wild, Huntsman, White Princess, Favourite, Fates, Rock the cradle, fancy, wee brown men, dancing Elves, Fairy Princess, toss, hide, curtain, Madame Marguerite, Lord, Argouges, snow-white bird, Elberich, jeer, Otnit, old man, dance, maiden, Lower, window, rope of pearls, tickle, monster, Pepita, Christmas day, birth, Chris, fairy queen, forest,
Give the gift of holiday spirit with this classic picture book that celebrates how one Christmas tree brings joy to a whole forest of critters! Christmas is here and Mr. Willowby's tree has arrived. There's just one big problem: The tree is too tall for his parlor! He cuts off the top so it will fit, and soon the top of that tree is passed along again and again to bring holiday cheer to all the animals in the forest. Kids will love watching the tree move from home to home, and families will appreciate the subtle message of conservation and recycling, as the tree top spreads joy to all. This heartwarming story is the perfect way to start the yuletide season, and a warm addition to any family's festive holiday traditions.
The Tooth Fairy meets Santa. A funny rhyming story, with that feel-good Christmas factor! The winter wind blasted her this way and that. It blew up her knickers and blew off her hat. She shivered with cold from her ears to her toes, and an icicle grew on the end of her nose. It's a snowy Christmas Eve and the Tooth Fairy has been blown off course. But who's that dashing through the sky? It's Santa to the rescue... From the Winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize and the illustrator of the bestselling The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas. The perfect Christmas gift!
Join one Black family on their journey to discover what Santa looks like in this joyous tale celebrating identity, family and holiday cheer! It’s not Christmas without Santa! But what does Santa truly look like? Does he match the figurines on the mantel, or the faces on our favorite holiday sweaters? Does he look like you or like me? Find out in this joyous and cozy celebration of family, representation, and holiday spirit! Destined to be a new classic, and perfect for any child looking to see some of themself in Santa Claus.
"A Christmas Child" by Mrs. Molesworth is a heartwarming novel that revolves around the themes of family, love, and the spirit of Christmas. The story follows the journey of the protagonist, Mignon, a young orphan girl who finds herself in a world of challenges and uncertainties. Mignon, an imaginative and spirited child, lives with her elderly aunt, Miss Betty, in a modest cottage. Their life is simple but filled with warmth and affection. However, their circumstances change when Miss Betty's health begins to deteriorate, and Mignon is sent to live with her distant relatives, the Gainsboroughs, who reside in a grand house called Rosendale. Life at Rosendale is starkly different from what Mignon is accustomed to. The Gainsboroughs are well-off but lack the close bonds that Mignon cherished with her aunt. The household is characterized by formality and social obligations, and Mignon feels like an outsider. Despite her challenges, she manages to make friends with the household staff, particularly the cook, Patty. As Christmas approaches, Mignon longs for the simple joys and warmth of her past life. She finds solace in an old doll named Miss Betty, which becomes a symbol of her connection to her beloved aunt. Mignon's interactions with Patty and the other servants reveal the stark contrasts between the worlds of the rich and the working-class. Through a series of events, Mignon's genuine and kind-hearted nature begins to influence the Gainsborough family, leading them to question their priorities and values. Mignon's innocence and enthusiasm have a transformative effect on the household, ultimately fostering a sense of unity and bringing about a change in their perspective on life. As the story unfolds, the true meaning of Christmas is highlighted as Mignon's presence and the spirit of love and togetherness bring about positive change in the lives of those around her. The novel emphasizes the importance of family, empathy, and compassion, underscoring how the simplest acts of kindness can have a profound impact on people's lives. "A Christmas Child" is a touching exploration of the power of love and the significance of human connections. It captures the essence of the holiday season by showcasing the potential for positive change and the capacity for individuals to come together to create a sense of belonging and shared joy.
